Auction 86 - Part I - Rare & Important Items
May 24, 2022
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10
Auction 86 - Part I - Rare & Important Items
May 24, 2022
Opening: $2,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $10,000
Including buyer's premium
Year-round selichot, according to Ashkenazi rite, with explanation of difficult words. Venice: Cornelio Adelkind, 1548.
Special copy, printed on blue paper. Blue paper was introduced into Italian Hebrew printing early in the 16th century. Like vellum, it was used for preparing deluxe editions of books, which were printed in a limited number of copies for wealthy people (see: Brad Sabin Hill, Hebrew Printing on Blue and Other Coloured Papers, in: Otzrot Yaakov, Treasures of the Valmadonna Trust Library, London and New York 2011, pp. 84 onwards).
Selichot for the month of Elul, the Ten Days of Repentance, Yom Kippur, Monday-Thursday-Monday, 10th Tevet, 17th Tammuz and Brit Milah, with the Torah reading and Haftarah for a public fast day.
Explanation of difficult words printed in the margins.
Index of selichot on last two leaves.
Many censorship deletions in ink (occasionally entire lines deleted).
131, [2] leaves. Lacking final leaf (leaf [3]), with the El Melech Yoshev prayer. Approx. 21 cm. Blue paper. Fair-good condition. Many stains, including dampstains and wax stains (significant stains in several places). Minor wear. Worming, slightly affecting text. Some paper reinforcements. Old binding, damaged.
Regarding the text of the selichot as they appear in this edition, the censorship emendations, and comparisons to earlier editions, see: M. Benayahu, Haskama VeReshut BiDfusei Venitzia, Jerusalem, 1971, pp. 181-189.
Special copy, printed on blue paper. Blue paper was introduced into Italian Hebrew printing early in the 16th century. Like vellum, it was used for preparing deluxe editions of books, which were printed in a limited number of copies for wealthy people (see: Brad Sabin Hill, Hebrew Printing on Blue and Other Coloured Papers, in: Otzrot Yaakov, Treasures of the Valmadonna Trust Library, London and New York 2011, pp. 84 onwards).
Selichot for the month of Elul, the Ten Days of Repentance, Yom Kippur, Monday-Thursday-Monday, 10th Tevet, 17th Tammuz and Brit Milah, with the Torah reading and Haftarah for a public fast day.
Explanation of difficult words printed in the margins.
Index of selichot on last two leaves.
Many censorship deletions in ink (occasionally entire lines deleted).
131, [2] leaves. Lacking final leaf (leaf [3]), with the El Melech Yoshev prayer. Approx. 21 cm. Blue paper. Fair-good condition. Many stains, including dampstains and wax stains (significant stains in several places). Minor wear. Worming, slightly affecting text. Some paper reinforcements. Old binding, damaged.
Regarding the text of the selichot as they appear in this edition, the censorship emendations, and comparisons to earlier editions, see: M. Benayahu, Haskama VeReshut BiDfusei Venitzia, Jerusalem, 1971, pp. 181-189.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books, Bibles, Talmud
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part I - Rare & Important Items
May 24, 2022
Opening: $5,000
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000
Sold for: $6,250
Including buyer's premium
Tefilot Vulgar, Italian rite siddur translated into Judeo-Italian. [Mantua: Jacob Kohen of Gazolo, 1561].
Siddur according to Italian rite, entirely translated into Judeo-Italian (vulgar, or volgare – vernacular, the language of the people, in this case Italian).
Includes: One hundred blessings; Hatavat Chalom; 72 verses; prayers for weekdays and Shabbat; additional prayers and piyyutim for Rosh Chodesh, festivals and special days.
The text of the siddur is based on earlier editions of Italian rite siddurim, printed in Fano 1506 and Bologna 1539, and translated by R. Yaakov Yisrael to Judeo-Italian, with variations.
Colophon on final leaf: "Completed here in Mantua, under the reign of our master Duke Guglielmo Gonzaga, on Rosh Chodesh Iyar 1561, by Yaakov Kohen son of R. Naftali HaKohen of Gazolo…".
The colophon is followed by the printer's device – priestly hands surmounted by a crown (representing the crown of priesthood; see: A. Yaari, Diglei HaMadpisim HaIvriim, Jerusalem 1944, no. 23; note on page 134).
Foliation in Italian, in Hebrew characters.
[170] leaves. Title page lacking and replaced in photocopy. 14 cm. Overall good condition. Many stains, including dampstains. Minor worming to several leaves. Ex-library copy (Schocken Library, Jerusalem). Fine, new leather binding. In a matching box.
See also: A. Piattelli, Bibliographia shel Machzorim VeSiddurim KeMinhag Bnei Roma, no. 21.
Siddur according to Italian rite, entirely translated into Judeo-Italian (vulgar, or volgare – vernacular, the language of the people, in this case Italian).
Includes: One hundred blessings; Hatavat Chalom; 72 verses; prayers for weekdays and Shabbat; additional prayers and piyyutim for Rosh Chodesh, festivals and special days.
The text of the siddur is based on earlier editions of Italian rite siddurim, printed in Fano 1506 and Bologna 1539, and translated by R. Yaakov Yisrael to Judeo-Italian, with variations.
Colophon on final leaf: "Completed here in Mantua, under the reign of our master Duke Guglielmo Gonzaga, on Rosh Chodesh Iyar 1561, by Yaakov Kohen son of R. Naftali HaKohen of Gazolo…".
The colophon is followed by the printer's device – priestly hands surmounted by a crown (representing the crown of priesthood; see: A. Yaari, Diglei HaMadpisim HaIvriim, Jerusalem 1944, no. 23; note on page 134).
Foliation in Italian, in Hebrew characters.
[170] leaves. Title page lacking and replaced in photocopy. 14 cm. Overall good condition. Many stains, including dampstains. Minor worming to several leaves. Ex-library copy (Schocken Library, Jerusalem). Fine, new leather binding. In a matching box.
See also: A. Piattelli, Bibliographia shel Machzorim VeSiddurim KeMinhag Bnei Roma, no. 21.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books, Bibles, Talmud
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part I - Rare & Important Items
May 24, 2022
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500
Sold for: $2,750
Including buyer's premium
Adon Chasdecha with Italian translation. Venice: Zuan di Gara, 1609.
The book comprises the piyyut Adon Chasdecha, better known as Mi Kamocha, composed by R. Yehuda HaLevi. Text of piyyut and Italian translation in Hebrew characters on facing pages. The piyyut recounts the story of Megillat Esther, and was originally intended to be recited on Shacharit of Shabbat Zachor, after the verse Mi Kamocha shortly before the Amidah. In some communities, this Shabbat is called Shabbat Mi Kamocha after the piyyut. The piyyut is a double alphabetical acrostic, with the name of the author added after each alphabet.
The first part of the piyyut contains two stanzas beginning with the letter Resh. According to Sefer HaDorot, R. Yehuda HaLevi experienced difficulty composing a stanza for the letter Resh, and R. Avraham ibn Ezra, who disguised himself at the time as a servant in the home of R. Yehuda HaLevi, completed it for him. Upon realizing his servant's true greatness, R. Yehuda HaLevi embraced him and selected him as a groom for his daughter. R. Yehuda HaLevi later also composed a stanza for the letter Resh, and this resulted in the piyyut eventually comprising two stanzas beginning with Resh.
The piyyut was cherished by many communities, and over the years, it served as a model for many other piyyutim, all beginning with Mi Kamocha and commemorating various local miracles (these are known as Mi Kamocha piyyutim).
In the present printing, the name of the piyyut Mi Kamocha was omitted, and the title given is Adon Chasdecha. This may reflect the move of the piyyut from its original location in the prayers. The recital of the piyyut between Kriyat Shema and the Amidah prayers aroused the halachic problem of an interruption in the prayers, and over the years, the piyyut was relocated to various places in the prayers. In 1586, the piyyut was printed in the press of Zuan di Gara, under the title of Mi Kamocha, to be recited between Mi Sheberach and Ashrei on the Shabbat preceding Purim. Though the piyyut was not anymore recited after Mi Kamocha, it retained the name Mi Kamocha in that printing. Several decades later, in the present printing (by the same printer), the name Mi Kamocha was omitted from the title page and piyyut, and the piyyut was titled instead Adon Chasdecha, after its opening words. Nevertheless, the piyyut is known until this day as Mi Kamocha.
16 leaves. 15 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dark stains. Inscriptions. New parchment binding, slipcased.
The book comprises the piyyut Adon Chasdecha, better known as Mi Kamocha, composed by R. Yehuda HaLevi. Text of piyyut and Italian translation in Hebrew characters on facing pages. The piyyut recounts the story of Megillat Esther, and was originally intended to be recited on Shacharit of Shabbat Zachor, after the verse Mi Kamocha shortly before the Amidah. In some communities, this Shabbat is called Shabbat Mi Kamocha after the piyyut. The piyyut is a double alphabetical acrostic, with the name of the author added after each alphabet.
The first part of the piyyut contains two stanzas beginning with the letter Resh. According to Sefer HaDorot, R. Yehuda HaLevi experienced difficulty composing a stanza for the letter Resh, and R. Avraham ibn Ezra, who disguised himself at the time as a servant in the home of R. Yehuda HaLevi, completed it for him. Upon realizing his servant's true greatness, R. Yehuda HaLevi embraced him and selected him as a groom for his daughter. R. Yehuda HaLevi later also composed a stanza for the letter Resh, and this resulted in the piyyut eventually comprising two stanzas beginning with Resh.
The piyyut was cherished by many communities, and over the years, it served as a model for many other piyyutim, all beginning with Mi Kamocha and commemorating various local miracles (these are known as Mi Kamocha piyyutim).
In the present printing, the name of the piyyut Mi Kamocha was omitted, and the title given is Adon Chasdecha. This may reflect the move of the piyyut from its original location in the prayers. The recital of the piyyut between Kriyat Shema and the Amidah prayers aroused the halachic problem of an interruption in the prayers, and over the years, the piyyut was relocated to various places in the prayers. In 1586, the piyyut was printed in the press of Zuan di Gara, under the title of Mi Kamocha, to be recited between Mi Sheberach and Ashrei on the Shabbat preceding Purim. Though the piyyut was not anymore recited after Mi Kamocha, it retained the name Mi Kamocha in that printing. Several decades later, in the present printing (by the same printer), the name Mi Kamocha was omitted from the title page and piyyut, and the piyyut was titled instead Adon Chasdecha, after its opening words. Nevertheless, the piyyut is known until this day as Mi Kamocha.
16 leaves. 15 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dark stains. Inscriptions. New parchment binding, slipcased.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books, Bibles, Talmud
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part I - Rare & Important Items
May 24, 2022
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $1,200 - $1,400
Sold for: $2,000
Including buyer's premium
Barchi Nafshi, prayers, songs and piyyutim by Rabbenu Bachya and other authors, in Hebrew and Italian. Venice: Giovanni Caleoni for Bragadin, 1628.
The book comprises an Italian translation of three works: Barchi Nafshi by Rabbenu Bachya, Vidui for Yom Kippur by Rabbenu Nissim, and the Vidui for Mincha of Yom Kippur according to Italian rite. This is accompanied by a Hebrew adaptation of these compositions, which is in fact a Hebrew translation of the Italian translation, in rhymes. The translation was made by Yochanan Yehuda (Angelo) Alatrini, while the Hebrew adaptation was made by his grandson (publisher of the book) R. Natan Yedidya of Orvieto. Hebrew text and Italian translation on facing pages.
The book also includes three Italian sonnets by Alatrini, with Hebrew translation and comments by his grandson R. Natan Yedidya, and a poem composed by R. Natan Yedidya.
On the verso of the title page, poem in praise of the book by R. Yehuda Aryeh of Modena.
For a description of the book and a literary analysis, see: D. Pagis, The Invention of the Hebrew Iambus, in: Poetry Aptly Explained: Studies and Essays on Medieval Hebrew Poetry, Jerusalem 1993, pp. 236-257.
[1], 2-34, [2] leaves. Lacking leaf 1. 15 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming, tears and open tears, slightly affecting title page border and text on several leaves. Some detached leaves. Inscriptions. Original parchment binding, damaged.
The book comprises an Italian translation of three works: Barchi Nafshi by Rabbenu Bachya, Vidui for Yom Kippur by Rabbenu Nissim, and the Vidui for Mincha of Yom Kippur according to Italian rite. This is accompanied by a Hebrew adaptation of these compositions, which is in fact a Hebrew translation of the Italian translation, in rhymes. The translation was made by Yochanan Yehuda (Angelo) Alatrini, while the Hebrew adaptation was made by his grandson (publisher of the book) R. Natan Yedidya of Orvieto. Hebrew text and Italian translation on facing pages.
The book also includes three Italian sonnets by Alatrini, with Hebrew translation and comments by his grandson R. Natan Yedidya, and a poem composed by R. Natan Yedidya.
On the verso of the title page, poem in praise of the book by R. Yehuda Aryeh of Modena.
For a description of the book and a literary analysis, see: D. Pagis, The Invention of the Hebrew Iambus, in: Poetry Aptly Explained: Studies and Essays on Medieval Hebrew Poetry, Jerusalem 1993, pp. 236-257.
[1], 2-34, [2] leaves. Lacking leaf 1. 15 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming, tears and open tears, slightly affecting title page border and text on several leaves. Some detached leaves. Inscriptions. Original parchment binding, damaged.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books, Bibles, Talmud
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part I - Rare & Important Items
May 24, 2022
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500
Sold for: $3,750
Including buyer's premium
Tefillat Yesharim, order of prayers and Psalms for every day of the week, Pirkei Shira, Tefillat HaDerech and Hatavat Chalom. Pisa: Gad ben Shmuel Foà [1769]. Miniature edition.
Miniature edition with original, gilt-decorated leather binding. Owner's initials lettered on both front and back boards: "M. S. V.".
80 leaves. Approx. 8 cm. Good condition. Stains. Small tear slightly affecting text on one leaf. Leaves trimmed close to headings in several places. Original leather binding. Minor damage to binding. Placed in original leather case.
Not recorded in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book. Not listed in Yaari, HaMadpisim Bnei Foà (the first book Yaari lists as printed by Foà in Pisa is from 1779; see: Yaari, Mechkarei Sefer, p. 414).
Miniature edition with original, gilt-decorated leather binding. Owner's initials lettered on both front and back boards: "M. S. V.".
80 leaves. Approx. 8 cm. Good condition. Stains. Small tear slightly affecting text on one leaf. Leaves trimmed close to headings in several places. Original leather binding. Minor damage to binding. Placed in original leather case.
Not recorded in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book. Not listed in Yaari, HaMadpisim Bnei Foà (the first book Yaari lists as printed by Foà in Pisa is from 1779; see: Yaari, Mechkarei Sefer, p. 414).
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books, Bibles, Talmud
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part I - Rare & Important Items
May 24, 2022
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500
Sold for: $3,500
Including buyer's premium
Year-round machzor, following the German and Polish rites – machzor for the High Holidays and Three Festivals. Amsterdam: Yochanan Levi Rofe, his brother-in-law Baruch and brother Hertz, [1785]. Pocket size.
Leather binding with silver clasps, with silver plaques on front and back board, inscribed: "Eli. Ber son of / R. Gavriel Neuburg".
216, 219-356 leaves. 12.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Tear to title page, not affecting text. Stamps. Damage and tears to binding.
Leather binding with silver clasps, with silver plaques on front and back board, inscribed: "Eli. Ber son of / R. Gavriel Neuburg".
216, 219-356 leaves. 12.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Tear to title page, not affecting text. Stamps. Damage and tears to binding.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books, Bibles, Talmud
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part I - Rare & Important Items
May 24, 2022
Opening: $8,000
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000
Sold for: $10,000
Including buyer's premium
Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Sotah – with Rashi and Tosafot, Piskei Tosafot and the Rambam's commentary on Mishnayot. Venice: Daniel Bomberg, 1520. First edition.
Volume from the first Talmud edition printed by Daniel Bomberg in Venice. This famous edition (The Venice Talmud), the first to comprise the entire Babylonian Talmud, served as prototype for all future Talmud editions. It established the text of the Talmud, the page layout and foliation used until this day.
Diagram illustrating Rashi's commentary on folio 43a. This is the only printed diagram in Bomberg's Talmud edition. In all other instances where there were supposed to be diagrams and illustrations, Bomberg left an empty space for the drawing to be added after printing.
"Registro" table on final page, listing the gatherings and opening text of each sheet (to facilitate bookbinding).
Complete copy, including title page. 53 leaves (final leaf numbered 54). 6 gatherings of 8 leaves each, seventh gathering – 5 leaves. 35 cm. Good condition. Stains, including large dampstains (ink stains to front endpaper, first leaf and final leaf). Worming to all leaves, affecting text, repaired in part with tape. Wear and several tears, repaired in part with paper. Glosses in early Oriental script (sources and corrections). Stamps (deleted) and ownership inscriptions. New binding.
Volume from the first Talmud edition printed by Daniel Bomberg in Venice. This famous edition (The Venice Talmud), the first to comprise the entire Babylonian Talmud, served as prototype for all future Talmud editions. It established the text of the Talmud, the page layout and foliation used until this day.
Diagram illustrating Rashi's commentary on folio 43a. This is the only printed diagram in Bomberg's Talmud edition. In all other instances where there were supposed to be diagrams and illustrations, Bomberg left an empty space for the drawing to be added after printing.
"Registro" table on final page, listing the gatherings and opening text of each sheet (to facilitate bookbinding).
Complete copy, including title page. 53 leaves (final leaf numbered 54). 6 gatherings of 8 leaves each, seventh gathering – 5 leaves. 35 cm. Good condition. Stains, including large dampstains (ink stains to front endpaper, first leaf and final leaf). Worming to all leaves, affecting text, repaired in part with tape. Wear and several tears, repaired in part with paper. Glosses in early Oriental script (sources and corrections). Stamps (deleted) and ownership inscriptions. New binding.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books, Bibles, Talmud
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part I - Rare & Important Items
May 24, 2022
Opening: $3,000
Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000
Sold for: $7,500
Including buyer's premium
Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Bechorot – with the commentaries of Rashi and Tosafot, Piskei Tosafot and Rabbenu Asher. Venice: Daniel Bomberg, 1522. First edition.
Volume from the first Talmud edition printed by Daniel Bomberg in Venice. This famous edition (The Venice Talmud), the first to comprise the entire Babylonian Talmud, served as prototype for all future Talmud editions. It established the text of the Talmud, the page layout and foliation used until this day.
Ownership inscriptions (in Ladino) of Yosef son of R. Yitzchak Yedidya, on the title page and final page.
Complete copy, including title page. 69 leaves. 8 gatherings of 8 leaves each, ninth gathering – 5 leaves. 32.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains. Worming, not affecting text. Marginal open tear to title page, not affecting text. Open tears to final leaf, slightly affecting text. Minor marginal tear to one leaf. Upper margin trimmed close to text in some places. Inscriptions. New binding.
Segulot of Studying Tractate Bechorot
R. Chaim Kanievsky was wont to say that the study of Tractate Bechorot, which deals with defects, is a segulah for recovery.
R. Yoshiyahu Pinto attests that studying Tractate Bechorot is considered like fasting (Divrei Yoshiyahu, Levav Yamim, p. 183).
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books, Bibles, Talmud
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part I - Rare & Important Items
May 24, 2022
Opening: $3,000
Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000
Sold for: $8,125
Including buyer's premium
Mishnayot Order Zera'im – with the commentaries of the Rambam and Rabbenu Shimshon (the Rash) of Sens. Venice, 1522. From the first Talmud edition published by Daniel Bomberg.
With the preface of the Rambam to Order Zera'im, and the translator's foreword.
Ownership inscription on verso of title page – "Shimshon son of Weidel Shapira".
Handwritten inscriptions in several places.
86; 6 leaves. 35 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains and traces of past dampness (significant stains in several places). Extensive worming, affecting text, mostly repaired with paper. Many open tears (large tears to title page), affecting text, repaired with paper (photocopy text replacement in several places). New leather binding.
With the preface of the Rambam to Order Zera'im, and the translator's foreword.
Ownership inscription on verso of title page – "Shimshon son of Weidel Shapira".
Handwritten inscriptions in several places.
86; 6 leaves. 35 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains and traces of past dampness (significant stains in several places). Extensive worming, affecting text, mostly repaired with paper. Many open tears (large tears to title page), affecting text, repaired with paper (photocopy text replacement in several places). New leather binding.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books, Bibles, Talmud
Catalogue
Auction 86 - Part I - Rare & Important Items
May 24, 2022
Opening: $5,000
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000
Sold for: $17,500
Including buyer's premium
Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim – Bible edition comprised of sections of the Bible printed in Venice by Marco Antonio Giustiniani at various times:
Five Books of the Torah. Venice, 1563. Bound with: Neviim Rishonim and Acharonim, and Ketuvim. Venice, [1552].
No Hebrew books were printed in Venice from the burning of the Talmud in 1553, until 1562. Presumably, the Torah section was bound with the Neviim and Ketuvim sections by the printer, putting to use copies remaining from a Bible edition printed before the burning of the Talmud.
All parts in one volume. Torah: 141 leaves, [1] blank leaf. Neviim Rishonim: [1], 146-254 leaves. Neviim Acharonim: 255-369 leaves, [1] blank leaf. Ketuvim: 124 leaves. Approx. 20 cm. Light-colored, high-quality paper. Good condition. Stains. Minor open tear to final leaf, slightly affecting text, and minor marginal tears to final two leaves, not affecting text. Wormhole to first leaves, slightly affecting text. Minor marginal worming to one of final leaves. Original leather binding, with late paper and tape repairs. Damage to binding.
The Torah section is recorded in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book according to the copy in Biblioteca Palatina, Parma, and does not appear in the NLI catalog.
Five Books of the Torah. Venice, 1563. Bound with: Neviim Rishonim and Acharonim, and Ketuvim. Venice, [1552].
No Hebrew books were printed in Venice from the burning of the Talmud in 1553, until 1562. Presumably, the Torah section was bound with the Neviim and Ketuvim sections by the printer, putting to use copies remaining from a Bible edition printed before the burning of the Talmud.
All parts in one volume. Torah: 141 leaves, [1] blank leaf. Neviim Rishonim: [1], 146-254 leaves. Neviim Acharonim: 255-369 leaves, [1] blank leaf. Ketuvim: 124 leaves. Approx. 20 cm. Light-colored, high-quality paper. Good condition. Stains. Minor open tear to final leaf, slightly affecting text, and minor marginal tears to final two leaves, not affecting text. Wormhole to first leaves, slightly affecting text. Minor marginal worming to one of final leaves. Original leather binding, with late paper and tape repairs. Damage to binding.
The Torah section is recorded in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book according to the copy in Biblioteca Palatina, Parma, and does not appear in the NLI catalog.
Category
Siddurim and Prayer Books, Bibles, Talmud
Catalogue